WEEHAWKEN -- Weehawken residents displaced by flooding from Hurricane Sandy who have been staying at the Lincoln Harbor Sheraton are slowly moving back into their homes, according to Mayor Richard Turner. The mayor explained that given this progress, the town will now be shifting its recovery efforts towards the 10-acre park located along the Hudson River. While no obvious structural damage occurred, the town plans on contracting engineers to determine whether or not the park is safe to reopen.

Two refreshment stands and restroom buildings which were severely damaged will also receive full renovations. Additionally, the makeshift shelter located in the community room of St. Lawrence’s Church is no longer accepting perishable food items or clothing due to overwhelming support from residents thus far.

The Downtown area known as The Shades, which was hit hardest by Sandy, is slowly returning back to normal, due to non-stop efforts by the town’s Department of Public Works and Red Cross volunteers. Turner did make clear that despite the surplus of supplies that has been donated, the shelter could always use more volunteers and that interested parties should call City Hall on Park Avenue.

Likewise, specialty food donations are still being accepted, but as with volunteers, those who wish to donate should contact City Hall first.

Finally, while the town was forced to cancel several events last week, including its annual state-wide Marching Band Festival, a service in honor of Veterans Day will still take place this Sunday at 11am, at the Soldier’s Monument in Hamilton Park.

Look for a full story on the recovery effort in the hurricane-affected Shades area in this week’s issue of The Hudson Reporter.